Team Knollwood celebrated our lesson program last weekend at home, and the show horses competed in a deep show that featured the first of the 'Big Three' equitation finals in Springfield, Illinois. What a time we had in two states.

Our Friday night performance featured 56 riders performing individual patterns in the arena.  It takes a bit of bravery to enter an arena by yourself to perform a pattern with your horse. We couldn’t be more proud of our riders who chose to participate in the Friday night performance.

For the number junkie readers, that represents 65% of riders showing over the weekend.

Why do we teach patterns so early in a rider’s education? Riding patterns teaches how horses move while turning, patterns teach patience as the rider’s message works its way from the horses mind to its body, pattern teach communication skills as the rider learns how to use multiple channels into the horse’s brain.

Patterns also teach resilience, because patterns aren’t about perfection, but about progress.  One circle might be too big, one might be too small, a line won’t be perfectly straight, and a halt won’t be in the perfect place.

If the pattern was better than the last time you tried, and you can apply what you learned to different situations, it was a success.

Bravo to everyone who joined us for pattern competition.

Saturday showcased our walk, trot, and canter riders as well as our walk and trot riders aged 11 and over.

We started the day with 6 six splits of 11-17 walk trot and canter competition. Each group competed in a horsemanship class, an equitation qualifier, and an equitation championship featuring workouts.

 

Our favorite split of the day? The group that featured our real ‘lesson’ horses, not the academy horses. We were fortunate to see big quarter horses like Sherman and Earl compete against Bee the Hackney, Pumpkin the glorious half Morgan and half Connemara, and Hugo, Leon, and Leona, three non-fancy yet priceless Saddlebreds.

Teagan rode Bee to the Horsemanship win and the equitation championship, while Molly rode Sherman to the equitation qualifier win.

Our 10 and under walk trot and canter class is always a treat to watch. Our four up and coming riders competed as fiercely as the older competitors.

Olivia and Bee won the horsemanship class while Rags and Baxter topped the equitation classes. The future is quite bright.

Our walk trot division for riders 11 and over was 9 riders strong. The classes were evenly matched, and full of hard riding competitors. Look for these riders to make the move to walk trot, and canter next season.

We finished our day with the finals of the Knollwood Challenge for 2025.

Riders have competed in qualifiers throughout the season, and the finals featured some terrific riding both on the rail and in the patterns the riders received Friday night.

In the walk trot division, Olivia rode Thomas to the championship, winning the traveling trophy and a custom show shirt. Finleigh was reserve aboard Leon.

In the walk, trot and canter division, the final was won by Madison who won aboard the pattern averse Pumpkin  with Teagan on Baxter in reserve.

Congratulations to all the Challenge Finalists.

Walk trot Sunday might be our favorite day of show weekend.

The celebration features walk trot riders of all levels, from leadliners to our 10 and under walk and trot academy stars.

We introduced 5 riders in our maiden division, and they rode like they’d been showing for a long time.

Our four splits of 9-10 year old equitation was fierce, from our academy group to our newest riders who were finishing their first year of in-barn showing.

Two splits of 8 and under walk and trot riders finished the rail work of the day, and they were fierce.

We finished the day with the 9 riders who competed in the pattern class for riders 8 and under. (We put the class on Sunday because Friday night goes too late for our youngest riders.)

These brave riders rode into the arena alone and performed the same walk trot pattern as the older riders did on Friday night, and they rode incredibly well.

We’re so proud of each and every rider who competed this weekend.

 

We have many people to thank for our glorious weekend of in-barn showing.

Great thanks to the parents who support these riders, and who make the weekend happen. They created gift baskets, set up and staffed a concession stand, and so much more. They were supporting the rider(s) in the ring as well.

Special thanks to Matt and Jaye who grilled on a wet, windy Sunday so everyone could enjoy burgers.

 

Thanks to the Center Ring staff of Judge Sydney, Announcer Wendy, and the volunteer ringmasters who kept the show running safely and smoothly.  Thank you for your time and expertise.

                                                   

Thank you to the helpers on Saturday, and the crew of ‘personal assistants’ who make the show run on Sunday. These Knollwood Kids who are known for their patience, kindness, and horsemanship took such good care of our walk trot stars. These assistants made sure the horses and riders were comfortable and ready to show.

 

Most of all, thank you to our amazing group of lesson horses. Their kindness and humor remained to the end. We owe them a fancy dinner out.

 

Meanwhile, in Springfield ...

At the Illinois State Fairgrounds, the show team was competing at the Mane Event Horse Show.

Nineteen show horses and their riders were competing in the most beautiful show arena around, and they had quite a show.

To mention a few stories…

Friends since their little Knollwood Kid days. Richie and Mia got to show against each other again last weekend. The reunion had Richie and Doc winning the 14-17 equitation qualifier with Mia and Dylan in second. Horse friendships are the best.

Richie won the championship with barnmate and friend Natalie in reserve while Mia finished fourth.

In the Good Hands National Final, Maiya and Riddle finished 5^th while Brooklyn and Gigi finished 6^th. This was a grand accomplishment in a class of the best riders in the country.

Other Highlights?

Maddie and Averie enjoyed another show in the 10 and under walk and trot division and always found time to enjoy themselves.

Tancy and Mickey continued their fun season, even winning the Adult Show Pleasure Championship.

Allison and Arthur enjoyed another good show, as Arthur continues to grow into his big show horse body.

 

Congrats to all of Team Knollwood who competed at this terrific horse show.

It’s on to the UPHA National Championship American Royal for the show team.

What’s Coming Up?

 

  IASPHA Fall Show this weekend at Beyond Stable Farm

The academy team is off to its last show of the season. 

Come cheer us on!!

 

    Halloween on Horseback  

  Saturday, October 31 at 6:30

It’s a sellout, and everyone is invited to see the costumes and join the fun in the arena. 

Costume creation can start at 5:00 

   

     Academy Meeting for Parents

 Saturday November 8 at 5:00

Think you might be interested in academy showing for 2026? Parents are invited to join us for an informational meeting where you’ll hear all about our love of the process.  

Please sign up in the school barn lounge so we know how many info folders to prepare.

 

    Enrollment meetings for 2026 

 November and early December

  Parents will meet with their instructors to plan out 2026.

  Your instructor will be in touch to schedule.    

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School Horse of the Year election!

December 1-31

When you renew your Knockout membership, you’ll receive a ballot for the election. Primaries are currently being held in the pasture to determine the top 4 finalists.

   Knockout Holiday Party and Officer Election 

     Saturday, December 13 at 6:00

      All Knockout members are invited to join us for our holiday celebration and election of officers. If you think you might be interested in running for an office, please talk to President Kylie, Kali, or Ann to learn more.

     Not yet a member? We’d love to have you!

 

Knockout Awards Banquet 

Saturday, January 31

Members are invited to join us at the Legend at Merrill Hills for an event celebrating all things Knollwood.

Invitations will go out to all members in December.

        

 

 

See you at the barn, or at the in-gate!